5 alternatives if Liverpool fail to sign Naby Keita

With RB Leipzig reluctant to part ways with Liverpool’s priority midfield target Naby Keita, Jurgen Klopp could be forced to consider alternatives.

The Reds have long been credited with an interest in the 22-year-old, who scored eight goals and provided eight assists in 31 games in the Bundesliga last season.

Keita is something of a unique player: gifted in all areas of the game, and capable of filling a variety of roles in the midfield, he is a stellar talent who would improve any side.

But with Leipzig in a strong position in terms of holding onto their stars this summer—backed by Red Bull, boasting a stubborn boardroom and prepared to make Keita their highest earner—he could prove difficult to sign.

There is little chance of finding a player truly comparable to Keita, but with Klopp eager to bolster his midfield, there are a variety of options to consider around the continent.

Here are five alternatives if Liverpool fail to sign Leipzig’s No. 8 this summer.

Germany’s Prodigy: Leon Goretzka

Club: SchalkeAge: 22Nationality: German

Goretzka spent the summer with the Germany squad at the Confederations Cup, with the Schalke midfielder establishing himself as a key player for Joachim Low.

A tall, powerful presence in the middle of the park, Goretzka excels in breaking the lines and driving forward from his natural role, making him a fine alternative to Adam Lallana.

He is able to perform a variety of duties in the midfield, and while he is not wholly similar to Keita, would provide Klopp with another option capable of blending defence and attack with ease.

Goretzka is expected to leave Schalke this summer, with just one year left on his current contract, and Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are among those pursuing the No. 8.

Likely considerably cheaper than Keita, if Liverpool are unable to convince Leipzig, Goretzka would be a fine alternative.

The Rumoured Target: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Club: LazioAge: 22Nationality: Serbia

Milinkovic-Savic emerged as a possible target for Klopp in June, with the Reds reported to have contacted Lazio to enquire as to his availability.

Like Goretzka, the 22-year-old would require a significantly smaller fee than Keita, with an offer of around £25 million said to be enough to secure his signature.

Standing at 6’2″, Milinkovic-Savic brings a dominant physicality both on the ground and in the air, while he has the awareness and technical quality to dictate play in the middle of the park.

He is also hugely effective going forward, scoring seven goals and assisting a further 10 in 39 appearances in all competitions last season, and could fill the role proposed for Keita adeptly.

Last Year’s Model: Piotr Zielinski

Club: NapoliAge: 23Nationality: Polish

Before the arrival of Georginio Wijnaldum last summer, Liverpool were pursuing a deal to sign Zielinski from Udinese, but ultimately failed, as he made the £14 million move to Napoli.

In Naples, Zielinski has gone from strength to strength, immediately slotting into one of the most exciting attacking units in European football, alongside the likes of Dries Mertins and Lorenzo Insigne.

Last season, Zielinski scored six and assisted seven in 47 games for Napoli, largely operating in a dynamic role in Maurizio Sarri’s three-man midfield.

At his best when given the freedom to roam, Zielinski is a great outlet in the centre, and is able to glide through defences with intelligent, third-man runs, much like Keita.

Whether he would leave Napoli after just one season remains to be seen, but Liverpool reviving their interest in Zielinski would be wise.